The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-11-05
EDITORIAL 8rtets.
BY REV. I. M. ATWOOD, D. D.
Canton, N. Y.

cuItlVaUon OF hypocrisy. In its origin
and intention it was not this: but in its
history and effects it approximates such
an agency OF evil. 1t is recognized as
good form in politician or psrty man
to keep up any kind of pretense, either
OF zeal on the one hand or of holy horror
on the other, that promises to advance
his party's ends, or to defeat the aims of
the rival party. What is this but a school
of hypocrisy? 1t is investing ipsincerity
and sham with the dignity and sacred
ness which belong only to ingenious
devotion to great principles.
Nor is the mischief made less by the
circumstance that large numbers Of sim
pie folk take the extemporized fervors Of
the party orators ano editors as the natu-
raj language Of great souls agitated With
alarm at the perils of great cause. The
spectacle of five thousand laborlng men,
led like dumb, driven cattle" by few
crafty and self seeking apostles of iu-
trigue and idleness; Is scarcely less edify-
ing to persons Of sound mind, than is the
usual vista of political campaign. In
both cases there is more cunning than
conscience on one side, and more faith
than knowledge on the other.
Are Universalists in any measure re-
sponsible for the misrepresentation, quite
widely entertained, that they believe in
salvation without the aid OF the gospel?
We find in recent discussion the remark
OF one Of the disputants, that Universal
lists may very properly believe in the sal
walton of such heather as have never
heard of Christ, because in their philoso-
ply salvation Is not dependent Oh the
gospel. The same sentiment is often met
With. Is it possible that in our writing
and preaching on this subject we do
sometimes disconnect the two things? Or
are our brethren in the other commun-
ions col stitutionally incapable of un-
derstRnding Universalism?
1t is certain, we think, that all Uni
versalists who ever undertake to expound
their faith, agree in holding, that the
agency of the gospel, or some equivalent
agency, is essential to salvation. There
may be those who do not think that the
peculiar system known az the Christian
religion is essential to the salvation of
human soul. This is not, however, be-
cause they suppose the moral help and
cleansing and culture given by the gospel
are unnecessary; but because they think
that in some cases, perhaps in many
other ana equivalent moral forces, from
a different source, may accomplish the
result. With all Upiversalsts salvation
implies actual growth in goo dness and
established moral character.
How complete a revolution popular
thought has accomplished on the subject
OF the eternity of punishment, is shown
by the nearly unanimous strain Of COM
ment INDUCED by the secular press on
the action of the American Board. For
merly, the newspapers were more than
courteous, they were obsequious, to the
churches and divines holding the dogma
of eternal torment. Now they hold them
up to reprobation and even to ridicule.
We hear of only two secular journals in
the whole country that make apologies
for the Board: most of them betray at
once and repeatedly their impotence with
the conservatives. This Is q really stu
pendOus revolution in public sentiment
on a great church dogma; and it is a rev.
olatioD that can be warranted not to go
backwards.
The spirit shown by DR.. Alden in his
remarks at the close of the great debate
in Springfield was worthy Of all imitation,
by Conservatives and Liberals. His
speech had in it not a trace of i'll will nor
tone of resentment. Quite unexpected
it was, after the policy of rigor and yigor
the Home Secretary has pursued the last
two years as representative of the Amer
lean Board. Quite unlike, also, it was
the temper shown by DIR. Alden's parti-
sans in the denominational journals.
They are obligatory, fierce, relentless.
1t is a pity DR.. Alden could not send ont
along with his new Apostles Creed and
other extTa-otfieial documents, a supply
for his conservative brethren OF that
sweetu ess without light with which he
y
the battle at Springfield.
DO not scold. The exhortation is
universal IN its terms and may be taken
by every class Of teachers OF takers, pub
lie or private. But we have in mind pBr-
ticularly ministers. Some other things,
such as reprooi, correction and ingtruc-
ton in righteousness may be confounded
with scoldlng. But scoldinq has its own
peculiar mark. Il is a mixture Of fault
finding and nsolence dispensed in a
querulous tone. 1t irritates children and
Rmuses when 1t does not disgust grown
people. 1t is one OF the thmgs that can.
not be done gracefully nor with dignity.
Leave it out
1t Is too much overlooked that ideas
are mighty even when they are half OF
wholly false. Ideas Of every kind are the
products Of thinkmgi and the products OF
thinking have "a great fascination for the
human mind What gives ideas perma-
uence ana final triumph is their truth.
But they may have their day and work
revolutions and lead captive clamorous
tbrongs without being true. It is the
mental energy in them snd lent TO them
by their disciples that gives them curren-
cy and power a truth without this sup